Hello everyone I was hoping some of you would be able to help me with a school assignment I have to do. I’m writing a paper comparing multiple different riding sun shirts. I need to collect data on what brands are people’s favorite and why? What is it you’re looking for in these shirts? Is it color, design? What sets certain sun shirts apart from others? Thank you so much for any response! 
Hey there, I absolutely love the lululemon swiftly tech shirts. Nicely vented and very flattering. Nice range of more neutral colors which I prefer to brighter colors. Great material and super comfy to ride in. As for shirts made for riding, I really like Kastel. Again nice color selection and material. I really like the sun protection on them. Clean and professional design is great for schooling/lessons, and very comfy. Hope that helps
I have come to Loooove Devon Air’s long sleeve white cool-mesh sun shirt. The white keeps the sun off and the material is very breathable. When I sweat, I feel that it evaporates. I typically wear tank tops and lots of sunscreen but I’m really loving this shirt. Stuff doesn’t stick to my skin so much!
I really like the ESI solid sun shirts in white for showing and the colored shirts at home. The white ones stay whiter than my other brands of white shirts, they last forever and are $92. I also love that the collar has a discrete zipper and isn’t tight around the neck! Keeping your chest and neck covered up in the sun is easier when the collar isn’t uncomfortable
https://www.eis-wear.com/
Kerrits. The whole thing has little holes in it so they are relatively cool. At least in our climate, that seems to work better than having mesh in critical regions. The patterns are super cute. They change the patterns each season which is both good and bad: bad because you’re tempted to buy new ones and good because the old ones often go on sale. My only complaint is the strangely long arms on some of them.
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I’ve become a real Kerrits convert as of late! Their sunshirts are so cool and the material is super nice- they are a great value.
I have super long arms so fit is important to me, but so is price. My current top favorites are Kastel & Kerrits. I would love to have more Noel Asmar ones but they are just too expensive!
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We are all fans at our barn.
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I am a huge Tailored Sportsman Icefil girl. Most of my barn is, actually.
-The material is soft and silky, very comfortable against the skin.
-It really works to cool you down in the heat, we’re in hot/humid Florida and swear by them.
-The sleeves aren’t stitched tight at the cuff so I can push them up easily when washing horses and then pull them back down without losing shape
-The fit is flattering on anyone - the size 0 junior or me at a size 10 with a large chest. They never look bad.
-They come in fun colors but are all professional and muted enough that you don’t look crazy wearing any of them for schooling.
-They wash impeccably. I can have crud caked on my white one and it comes out looking brand new after a spin in the washer with a little oxiclean!
All of that said I wear Kastel and Lulu shirts to ride, as well. But I reach for my tailoreds the most.
I love Kastels. I have long arms and a decently long torso with huge boobs and these fit well. They are soft and a thin-weighted shirt and so far, have kept me cooler than the other brands I’ve tried. I also like EIS but haven’t had as much luck finding those on deep discount like I can find for Kastel!
SmartPak Sun Shirt user here myself. I’m on a budget, and I find their sun shirts look good and hold up extremely well! Also, since they are basically their own wholesaler, you can find older models on sale on their website almost all the time.
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For the low price, the SmartPak brand is insanely good in my opinion. When I am in the mood to spend a little more, I go for Tailored Sportsman. Both of them are really light for hot summers and I adore the colors. I always get compliments on them.
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Kastels and Kerrits are my two favorite!
I love how clean and tailored the Kastels look- plus sun protection ans the mesh inserts along the arms. The colors are also great!
Kerrits are my favorite for really hot weather (which is frequent where I live) the ice fil keeps me cool and helps protect from the sun. However, I find them to be less fitted and more boxy than the Kastel shirts on me. I love both of them though and own way too many in various shades of blue!
Kastel is the only sun shirt I really enjoy. I’ve tried tailored sportsman, the smartpak ones, ariats etc. I always come back to Kastel. Pricey but I’ve had several that are 5+ years old and still look new. Always flattering even when I gain weight.
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I love my It’s A Haggertys shirt! For me, the selling points are: customization for the same price as a TS shirt, it’s SO soft it almost feels like water when you pick it up, it dries off quickly in humid weather, and they look very very nice.
I will probably pick up some SmartPak shirts for at home schooling/ barn work and save the Haggertys for more formal things like lessons, clinics or schooling at shows because they are just so pretty. The SmartPak shirts are super cheap and a pretty nice material. I haven’t bought one yet so I’m still a little skeptical about how they will hold up.
I just bought one of the new SP ones and am impressed with the material for the price. Much nicer than one of their previous versions I have. I’ll be interested to see how it holds up.
Most of my sunshirts are Kastel. Even the ones that are a few years old still look practically new. I’ve also got RJs and TSs, and quite like them. I tend more towards the RJs just because they’re easier to find on sale for significantly less than the others. The Kastels used to be that way, but it seems like less often in the last few years.
I am also a huge fan of It’s a Haggerty’s. Terrie is great, so customer service is one point. I love how cool they are, quick drying, customizable and the price point you can’t beat. And they’re made in the US, which is important to me in any clothing/shoes/bags that I buy.
Thank you to everyone that has answered you have all helped so much I typically lean towards kastel because I too have long arms and it’s very hard to find ones that fit but after reading these I may have to give Kerrits a try too. Thanks everyone!
